Service to dispel myth on adoption

A new integrated adoption and fostering service has been launch as council officials look for more people to adopt or foster.

Northumberland County Council has launched the new family placement service in a bid to dispel the myths about fostering or adoption, with information included on new websites.

The new service joins together the adoption and fostering services to focus on recruiting and supporting more adopters and foster carers.

The authority has also launched a new campaign to ‘Count yourself in! Change lives’ to help raise awareness of the need for new parents and carers for children and young people.

Coun Robert Arckless, policy board member responsible for children’s services, said: “Our adoptive parents and foster carers give much needed life chances to children of all ages, from babies and their early development to supporting teenagers to learn independent living skills.

“The application process to become a parent takes about six months, and matches between children and families are happening a lot quicker than even a year or two back.

“It is one of the most supported child care roles you can offer, where on-going training helps build child care skills.

“We are keen to hear from people, across the north east and also into the Scottish Borders, who can offer a loving stable environment.”

For more information and to speak to someone from the family placement service call (01670) 626262, email familyplacement@northumberland.gov.uk or visit www.northumberland.go.uk and search children and families.